tolerance

International controversy has been sparked by debates on sexual ethics and the treatment of minoritites. This is often portrayed as conlict between a ‘liberal’ west and ‘conservative’ south. But the reality is more complicated, says Savi Hensman

To tolerate in the sense of acknowledging that different experiences are likely to produce different outcomes, and that without the experience, we should tread the paths of judgement with great care, is wise and charitable, says Jill Segger. This forbearance is perhaps better perceived as humility than as tolerance.

The Charter for Compassion seeks to bring people together across the varieties of global faith and belief, in recognition of the fact that "in separateness lies the world’s great misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength."

Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond is this weekend launching a Scottish Inter-Faith Week, during which people from across the country are being invited to meet their neighbours and to build new friendships.

A Christian church in central Jerusalem which is used by several different groups survived an arson attack last week as a result of prompt action by Jewish neighbours who called the emergency services and stopped the potentially lethal fire spreading.